Shear Capacity of C-Shaped and L-Shaped Angle Shear Connectors

Farzad Tahmasbi; Shervin Maleki; Mahdi Shariati; N H Ramli Sulong; M M Tahir

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0156989

Shear Capacity of C-Shaped and L-Shaped Angle Shear Connectors

PLoS One. 2016 Aug 1;11(8):e0156989. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156989. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Farzad Tahmasbi¹, Shervin Maleki¹, Mahdi Shariati², N H Ramli Sulong², M M Tahir³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
² Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
³ UTM Construction Research Centre, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute for Smart Infrastructure and Innovative Construction, UTM, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.

Abstract

This paper investigates the behaviour of C-shaped and L-shaped angle shear connectors embedded in solid concrete slabs. An effective finite element model is proposed to simulate the push out tests of these shear connectors that encompass nonlinear material behaviour, large displacement and damage plasticity. The finite element models are validated against test results. Parametric studies using this nonlinear model are performed to investigate the variations in concrete strength and connector dimensions. The finite element analyses also confirm the test results that increasing the length of shear connector increases their shear strength proportionately. It is observed that the maximum stress in L-shaped angle connectors takes place in the weld attachment to the beam, whereas in the C-shaped angle connectors, it is in the attached leg. The location of maximum concrete compressive damage is rendered in each case. Finally, a new equation for prediction of the shear capacity of C-shaped angle connectors is proposed.

MeSH terms

Finite Element Analysis
Models, Theoretical*
Stress, Mechanical
Tensile Strength

Grants and funding

The study presented herein was made possible by the University of Malaya Higher Impact Research (HIR) Grant: UM.C/HIR/MOHE/ENG/57 and University of Malaya Research Grant (UMRG): RP004C-13AET. The authors would like to acknowledge the support.